Kwanobuhle | Tuesday
GANGS of race-hate thugs went on a rampage in a black township bordering Port Elizabeth on Monday, targetting shops belonging to Somali migrants, a report said on Tuesday.
At least 25 shops were looted and one set ablaze in Kwanobuhle township as police fired tear gas and fought running battles with the looters, the Eastern Province Herald newspaper reported.
The Kwanobuhle Islamic Centre, which includes a mosque, was also broken into and the mob took artefacts, smashed windows and destroyed a bathtub used to wash the dead, the daily said.
”They entered the mosque with their shoes on,” the local Imam, named only as Makheleni, told the newspaper. ”We are going to call a meeting of the Kwanobuhle Islamic community to discuss the matter.”
The looters apparently attacked the mosque because it is next to a shop owned by a Somali family.
Police said six people had been arrested and more arrests were expected.
According to police, the looters accused the foreigners of taking their jobs and taking over their businesses.
Some Somalis took refuge at the police station.
”We do not know why these people are doing this to us,” said Somali shop owner Hassan Khali.
”Last night about 100 people came to my house, some with guns, wanting to take my goods. I closed the door and they started throwing stones, breaking windows.”
He said he managed to fend the mob off and they left — but not before destroying his shop and goods valued at about three million rand.
Another shop was cleared out by a group of about 500 looters, who then destroyed shelves and part of the ceiling.
South African Human Rights Commission chairman Barney Pityana last month deplored what he said was ”rabid xenophobia” in South Africa.
”South Africa’s treatment of foreigners should cause us shame,” he said, singling out the home affairs ministry, responsible for immigration, for particular criticism.
The Port Elizabeth branch of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has strongly condemned Monday’s attacks. ”This is totally against the programme of the party that is focusing against racism and xenophobia,” said ANC western region secretary Beza Ntshona.
”We strongly condemn activities that are directed against our African brothers.”
The final declaration of last week’s UN World Conference Against Racism held in South Africa’s east coast city of Durban strongly condemned ”the manifestations and acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance against migrants.” – Sapa-AFP